BETHEL — As we welcome The Northern Forest Center’s plan to rehabilitate the Gehring House, we realize that some Bethel residents may not know the history of the property, including NTL’s extensive use of it. Perhaps more importantly, few may be aware of the significant impact the relationship between Bethel and NTL (National Training Laboratories, later NTL Institute for Applied Behavioral Science) had on the town and on the people who attended programs there.

The Institute was founded in 1947 as an organization dedicated to human and organization development and group dynamics with innovative, experiential ‘training labs’ taking place in Bethel. Between then and the mid-2000s, hundreds, if not thousands of people from all over the US and many other countries came to Bethel to participate in the unique learning experiences offered by NTL. Many of the key summer programs took place in the Gehring House and its grounds, which served as the center of NTL’s summer activities.

The impact on Bethel was profound, not just economically – though it was a significant boon to local businesses – but to its identity. NTL participants with various backgrounds mingled happily with locals, frequenting restaurants and other attractions. Many residents got interested in what these folks were doing, and some chose to participate in NTL activities. On several occasions, NTL members, in support of their host community, volunteered to facilitate Community Building & Visioning sessions to help the town plan for the future. Many NTL staff, returning to Bethel summer after summer, developed close relationships with the community
members and business owners.

While the NTL Institute has had an extensive positive impact on numerous organizations including academic institutions, the military, and countless businesses and NGOs around the world, its direction and operations have shifted in recent years. Increasingly, it became clear that potential participants were not willing to travel to a remote location to spend many days in extended training sessions – aspects of the “Bethel” experience that ironically contributed to it as a place of learning and growth. Seven long-time members of NTL, in an effort to preserve the Gehring House and its role in innovative human relations training and social change, leased the Gehring House and formed the Lewin Center, for “change, action and research” (Bethel Citizen, September 7, 2006). Sadly, continuing trends in the training market environment forced NTL to sell its Bethel properties, including the Gehring House, and withdraw its presence from Bethel.

However, for many people who took part in NTL programs in Bethel, the town, and particularly the Gehring House, became an almost sacred place. Like many in the community, NTL members, some living in Bethel and others returning for “memory visits” watched in dismay as the beautiful property was allowed to decline. So, it is with a sense of relief that NTL learned of The Northern Forest Center’s plan for its preservation, rehabilitation, and new meaningful purpose. NTL is celebrating with a weekend of NTL-sponsored events for returning members and Bethel citizens.

On Friday, June 23, The Northern Forest invites anyone with a connection to NTL to an informal event at the Bethel Historical Society. Participants will tour the Gehring House, share memories, and loan or donate NTL/Gehring House memorabilia to the Museums of the Bethel Historical Society. The Northern Forest Center will share its plans for the building and invite people to make financial contributions to the project.

NTL has planned additional gatherings for those who wish to reconnect and revisit the magic of the NTL/Bethel relationship. Immediately following the Northern Forest Center event, NTL will host a social gathering of NTL members and Bethel friends at 18 High Street. On Saturday, June 24, we will gather again to participate in a reflection and celebration, including a ‘Sunrise Seminar’ at the Historical Society (topic: NTL & Bethel) 8-9 a.m., 9 a.m. breakfast (pay on your own at the Bethel Inn), 10 a.m. Bethel ‘Then and Now’ walking tour and 11 a.m. conversations around the Seashore Memorial Bench that was presented in 2013 by the Lewin Center in honor of Charles and Edie Seashore, former owners of the Bingham House.

If you wish to join in any of these activities, please inquire for more information and RSVP as follows:
RSVP for The Northern Forest Center event (Friday tour, gathering)
Amy Scott: [email protected]; 207 357 3189

RSVP for NTL (Friday Social/Saturday Program)
Ted Tschudy: [email protected]; 202 491-4788